Frontiers in Physiology (Apr 2016)

Brown Adipose Tissue Is Linked To A Distinct Thermoregulatory Response To Mild Cold In People

  • Maria eChondronikola,
  • Elena eVolpi,
  • Elisabet eBorsheim,
  • Tony eChao,
  • Craig ePorter,
  • Palam eAnnamalai,
  • Christina eYfanti,
  • Sebastien M Labbe,
  • Nicholas M Hurren,
  • Ioannis eMalagaris,
  • Fernardo eCesani,
  • Labros S Sidossis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00129
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in thermoregulation in rodents. Its role in temperature homeostasis in people is less studied. To this end, we recruited 18 men [8 individuals with no/minimal BAT activity (BAT-) and 10 with pronounced BAT activity (BAT+)]. Each volunteer participated in a 6 h, individualized, non-shivering cold exposure protocol. BAT was quantified using positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Body core and skin temperatures were measured using a telemetric pill and wireless thermistors, respectively. Core body temperature decreased during cold exposure in the BAT- group only (-0.34oC, 95% CI: -0.6 to -0.1, p = 0.03), while the cold-induced change in core temperature was significantly different between BAT+ and BAT- individuals (BAT+ vs. BAT-, 0.43oC, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.65, p = 0.0014). BAT volume was associated with the cold-induced change in core temperature (p = 0.01) even after adjustment for age and adiposity. Compared to the BAT- group, BAT+ individuals tolerated a lower ambient temperature (BAT-: 20.6± 0.3oC vs. BAT+: 19.8 ± 0.3oC, p=0.035) without shivering. The cold-induced change in core temperature (r = 0.79, p = 0.001) and supraclavicular temperature (r = 0.58, p = 0.014) correlated with BAT volume, suggesting that these non-invasive measures can be potentially used as surrogate markers of BAT when other methods to detect BAT are not available or their use is not warranted. These results demonstrate a physiologically significant role for BAT in thermoregulation in people. This trial has been registered with Clinaltrials.gov: NCT01791114 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01791114)

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